My October 2026 reading recap featuring 25 books, standout romances, cozy mysteries, gripping thrillers, fall reading recommendations, and a sneak peek at what’s coming to novelgossip in November.
October was basically one giant celebration of all things fall around here, and I regret absolutely nothing. 😂🍂 I finished 25 books this month, bounced between romance, cozy mysteries, and thrillers, and somehow managed to squeeze in a little Christmas reading before Halloween was even over. Because apparently I have zero seasonal boundaries when it comes to books.
And the fall content? Oh, we went ALL IN. Pumpkin books, witchy reads, ghost stories, fall festivals, creepy thrillers, cozy mysteries… if it even vaguely resembled autumn, I probably found a way to talk about it.
I also discovered some fantastic new reads, continued exploring cozy mystery series, listened to some seriously good audiobooks, and started making a few changes to the way I approach my reading. More on that later. Maybe. 😂
ICYMI: OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS
OCTOBER BOOK RECS
My monthly book recommendations featuring some of the romances, thrillers, and cozy mysteries I think deserve a spot on your TBR.
→ Read the full list here
FALL READING, ALL MONTH LONG
Apparently I decided October needed to be one giant fall reading party, because I shared SO many seasonal recommendations this month.
We had fall festival romances, books with pumpkin in the title, witchy books, ghost stories that aren’t actually scary, and even books that scared the shit out of me. Because balance. 😂
Whether you wanted something sweet and cozy, a little magical, or genuinely terrifying, there was something for just about every kind of fall reader.
And yes, I am fully aware that I went a little overboard with the autumn content. No, I will not be apologizing.
Find all the fall content here
OCTOBER STANDOUT READS
WHEN THEY FIND ME BY CARTER WILSON
Oh, this was GOOD. Carter Wilson delivered exactly the kind of thriller I love getting completely lost in, and this one was easily among my favorite suspense reads of the month.
I love a thriller that keeps me guessing, makes me question everything, and gives me that irresistible need to read just one more chapter. This one absolutely delivered. It’s the kind of book that reminds me why I love psychological suspense so much, and it’s already in consideration for my favorite thrillers of the year.
Read my full review of When They Find Me
TRUST BY KATHY LOCKHEART
Never thought I’d be sitting here gushing over a forbidden prison romance, but here we are. 😂 I’ve been waiting for Knox’s story for what feels like forever, and Kathy Lockheart made that wait completely worthwhile.
Knox was such a complicated, fascinating character, and finally learning more about his past and the circumstances surrounding his incarceration was incredibly satisfying. I adored Harper, loved the emotional intensity between them, and thought the suspense was fantastic. And can we talk about that friend group chat? I swear those people had me cackling at the most unexpected moments.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Megan Wicks and Aiden Snow, and they were phenomenal. Megan handled every emotional beat beautifully, and Aiden was absolute perfection as that deep-voiced, growly protector. Such a fantastic conclusion to a series I’ve really enjoyed.
Read my full review of Trust
THE BEST CHRISTMAS EVER BY SARAH MORGAN
Listen, I know it’s October, but when Sarah Morgan writes a Christmas book, I’m not waiting until December to read it. 😂🎄
A group of strangers stranded together during a snowstorm sounds suspiciously like the beginning of a thriller, but thankfully this is Sarah Morgan, so instead we get a wonderfully heartwarming story about friendship, family, romance, and unexpected connections.
I especially loved that the three main women were all at different stages of life. Mabel, Brooke, and Izzy each brought something special to the story, and their different perspectives made the whole experience feel so warm and relatable.
Dara Rosenberg narrated the audiobook, and honestly, I feel like I listen to her every holiday season. Her narration is always so warm and engaging, and she was the perfect match for this sweet, festive story.
Read my full review of The Best Christmas Ever
WHISKEY BURN BY AVA HUNTER
Sometimes you just need a romance that completely pulls you in, and Whiskey Burn was exactly that for me.
This was one of those reads that reminded me how much I love getting swept up in a romance, especially when I’m bouncing between creepy thrillers and cozy mysteries. A little romance, a little escape, and a whole lot of enjoyment.
It earned a very happy five stars from me and absolutely deserved a spot among my October favorites.
Read my full review of Whiskey Burn
CURRENTLY READING, LISTENING & WATCHING
READING: HAPPILY EVER AFTER THE MURDERS BY RAE WILDE
I’m currently reading Happily Ever After the Murders, because apparently even as October comes to an end, I’m not quite ready to give up my murder mysteries. And honestly, why should I? Cozy mysteries and thrillers are a year round personality trait at this point. 😂
LISTENING: CRASH COURSE BY C.S. QUILL
I’m about to start Crash Course, the second book in the Campus Drivers series by C.S. Quill, and I’m excited to get back to this group.
I recently finished Fast Lane and really enjoyed the banter, the friendships, and the whole Campus Drivers setup, so naturally I need to keep going. Plus, with the Prime series adaptation on my radar, this feels like a pretty good time to work my way through the books.
WATCHING: A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING
My TV watching has been a little less organized than my reading lately, which is saying something. 😂
Mostly I’ve been catching up on the One Chicago universe, keeping up with Survivor, and watching all my Bravo shows. You know, the essentials.
Between fictional emergencies, reality television chaos, and Housewives drama, I think I’ve got a pretty balanced television diet.
WHAT’S NEXT?
November is going to be a little bit of everything, but mostly it’s going to be the beginning of CHRISTMAS around here. 🎄
I still have a few fall features I want to share because I refuse to abandon autumn completely just because Halloween is over. But the holiday books are already calling my name, and I’m not particularly interested in resisting.
The biggest project coming up is my 2026 Holiday Reading Guide, which will be packed with Christmas romances, thrillers and cozy mysteries. I’ve been working on this one for a while, reading and collecting recommendations, and I’m so excited to finally share it.
There will also be plenty of festive book recommendations, seasonal features, holiday mysteries, and romances that make me want to curl up under a blanket with a ridiculous amount of hot chocolate.
I’m also trying to be a little more intentional about my reading lately. After ten years of book blogging, an ever growing TBR, and more books than any one person could reasonably need, I’ve been rethinking how I balance new releases, review commitments, backlist books, and the books I just genuinely want to read.
I think I may finally be figuring out a system that works for me, which honestly feels like a minor miracle. 😂 Maybe I’ll share more about that eventually, but for now I’m just enjoying the freedom of reading what I’m actually in the mood for while still keeping up with the books I need to review.
Because reading should be fun, right? Even when you’ve somehow turned your favorite hobby into a never ending content calendar.
So goodbye, October. You were cozy, creepy, romantic, occasionally terrifying, and just a tiny bit Christmas-y.
Exactly how I like it.
How was your October reading? Are you still hanging on to fall, or have you already moved on to Christmas books? I’d love to hear what you’ve been reading!
